Genetic divergence for economically important traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation attempted to understand the genetic divergence among the genotypes for economically important traits. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications during rabi season of 2014-15 at Rahaula farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Gramodaya Vishwa Vidyalaya Chitrakoot (MGCGV), Satna (M.P.). The results revealed high variability of most of the economically important traits. The diversity analysis revealed grouping of 20 chickpea genotypes in five clusters. The inter- and intra-cluster distances revealed highest intra-cluster diversity in cluster I (13.81) followed by cluster III (9.84). The inter-cluster distance was highest between cluster IV and V (306.92) followed by cluster I and V (252.98), and cluster II and V (142.78). The highest contribution towards genetic variation was reported by hundred seed weight (45.26%) followed by plant height (11.05%), biomass yield per plant (8.95%) and grain yield per plant (7.89%) indicating the greater diversity in the population for these traits. The diverse genotypes identified in this study can be used a parents in the breeding program to develop future varieties.